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Chapter 8 And what came of it
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"Uncle, could you lend me a ninepence? I'll return it as soon as Iget my pocket-money," said Rose, coming into the library in agreat hurry that evening.

  "I think I could, and I won't charge any interest for it, so you neednot be in any hurry to repay me. Come back here and help mesettle these books if you have nothing pleasanter to do," answeredDr. Alec, handing out the money with that readiness which is sodelightful when we ask small loans.

  "I'll come in a minute; I've been longing1 to fix my books, but didn'tdare to touch them, because you always shake your head when Iread.""I shall shake my head when you write, if you don't do it betterthan you did in making out this catalogue.""I know it's bad, but I was in a hurry when I did it, and I am in onenow." And away went Rose, glad to escape a lecture.

  But she got it when she came back, for Uncle Alec was stillknitting his brows over the list of books, and sternly demanded,pointing to a tipsy-looking title staggering down the page"Is that meant for 'Pulverized2 Bones,' ma'am?""No, sir; it's 'Paradise Lost.' ""Well, I'm glad to know it, for I began to think you were planningto study surgery or farming. And what is this, if you please?

  'Babies' Aprons3' is all I can make of it."Rose looked hard at the scrawl4, and presently announced, with anair of superior wisdom"Oh, that's 'Bacon's Essays.' ""Miss Power did not teach anything so old-fashioned as writing, Isee. Now look at this memorandum5 Aunt Plenty gave me, and seewhat a handsome plain hand that is. She went to a dame-schooland learnt a few useful things well; that is better than a smatteringof half a dozen so-called higher branches, I take the liberty ofthinking.""Well, I'm sure I was considered a bright girl at school, and learnedeverything I was taught. Luly and me were the first in all ourclasses, and 'specially6 praised for our French and music and thosesort of things," said Rose, rather offended at Uncle Alec'scriticism.

  "I dare say; but if your French grammar was no better than yourEnglish, I think the praise was not deserved, my dear.""Why, uncle, we did study English grammar, and I could parsebeautifully. Miss Power used to have us up to show off whenpeople came. I don't see but I talk as right as most girls.""I dare say you do, but we are all too careless about our English.

  Now, think a minute, and tell me if these expressions are correct'Luly and me,' 'those sort of things,' and 'as right as most girls.' "Rose pulled her pet curl and put up her lip, but had to own that shewas wrong, and said meekly7, after a pause which threatened to besulky"I suppose I should have said 'Luly and I,' in that case, and 'that sortof things' and 'rightly,' though 'correctly' would have been a betterword, I guess.""Thank you; and if you will kindly8 drop 'I guess,' I shall like mylittle Yankee all the better. Now, see here, Rosy9, I don't pretend toset myself up for a model in anything, and you may come down onmy grammar, manners or morals as often as you think I'm wrong,and I'll thank you. I've been knocking about the world for years,and have got careless, but I want my girl to be what I callwell-educated, even if she studies nothing but the three 'Rs' for ayear to come. Let us be thorough, no matter how slowly we go."He spoke10 so earnestly and looked so sorry to have ruffled11 her thatRose went and sat on the arm of his chair, saying, with a pretty airof penitence"I'm sorry I was cross, uncle, when I ought to thank you for takingso much interest in me. I guess no, I think you are right aboutbeing thorough, for I used to understand a great deal better whenpapa taught me a few lessons than when Miss Power hurried methrough so many. I declare my head used to be such a jumble12 ofFrench and German, history and arithmetic, grammar and music, Iused to feel sometimes as if it would split. I'm sure I don't wonderit ached." And she held on to it as if the mere13 memory of the"jumble" made it swim.

  "Yet that is considered an excellent school, I find, and I dare say itwould be if the benighted14 lady did not think it necessary to cramher pupils like Thanks-giving turkeys, instead of feeding them in anatural and wholesome15 way. It is the fault with most Americanschools, and the poor little heads will go on aching till we learnbetter."This was one of Dr. Alec's hobbies, and Rose was afraid he was offfor a gallop16, but he reined17 himself in and gave her thoughts a newturn by saying suddenly, as he pulled out a fat pocket-book"Uncle Mac has put all your affairs into my hands now, and here isyour month's pocket money. You keep your own little accounts, Isuppose?""Thank you. Yes, Uncle Mac gave me an account book when Iwent to school, and I used to put down my expenses, but I couldn'tmake them go very well, for figures are the one thing I am not atall clever about," said Rose, rummaging18 in her desk for adilapidated little book, which she was ashamed to show when shefound it.

  "Well, as figures are rather important things to most of us, and youmay have a good many accounts to keep some day, wouldn't it bewise to begin at once and learn to manage your pennies before thepounds come to perplex you?""I thought you would do all that fussy19 part and take care of thepounds, as you call them. Need I worry about it? I do hate sums,so!""I shall take care of things till you are of age, but I mean that youshall know how your property is managed, and do as much of it asyou can by and by; then you won't be dependent on the honesty ofother people.""Gracious me! as if I wouldn't trust you with millions of billions ifI had them," cried Rose, scandalised at the mere suggestion.

  "Ah, but I might be tempted20; guardians21 are sometimes; so you'dbetter keep your eye on me, and in order to do that you must learnall about these affairs," answered Dr. Alec, as he made an entry inhis own very neat account-book.

  Rose peeped over his shoulder at it, and then turned to thearithmetical puzzle in her hand with a sigh of despair.

  "Uncle, when you add up your expenses do you ever find you havegot more money than you had in the beginning?""No; I usually find that I have a good deal less than I had in thebeginning. Are you troubled in the peculiar22 way you mention?""Yes; it is very curious, but I never can make things come outsquare.""Perhaps I can help you," began Uncle Alec, in the most respectfultone.

  "I think you had better, for if I have got to keep accounts I may aswell begin in the right way. But please don't laugh! I know I'm verystupid, and my book is a disgrace, but I never could get it straight."And with great trepidation23, Rose gave up her funny little accounts.

  It really was good in Dr. Alec not to laugh, and Rose felt deeplygrateful when he said in a mildly suggestive tone"The dollars and cents seem to be rather mixed, perhaps if I juststraightened them out a bit we should find things all right.""Please do, and then show me on a fresh leaf how to make minelook nice and ship-shape as yours do."As Rose stood by him watching the ease with which he quicklybrought order out of chaos24, she privately25 resolved to hunt up herold arithmetic and perfect herself in the four first rules, with agood tug26 at fractions, before she read any more fairy tales.

  "Am I a rich girl, uncle?" she asked suddenly, as he was copying acolumn of figures.

  "Rather a poor one, I should say, since you had to borrow aninepence.""That was your fault, because you forgot my pocket-money. But,really, shall I be rich by and by?""I am afraid you will.""Why afraid, uncle?""Too much money is a bad thing.""But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantestpart of having it I think.""I'm glad you feel so, for you can do much good with your fortuneif you know how to use it well.""You shall teach me, and when I am a woman we will set up aschool where nothing but the three R's shall be taught, and all thechildren live on oatmeal, and the girls have waists a yard round,"said Rose, with a sudden saucy27 smile dimpling her cheeks.

  "You are an impertinent little baggage, to turn on me in that wayright in the midst of my first attempt at teaching. Never mind, I'llhave an extra bitter dose for you next time, miss.""I knew you wanted to laugh, so I gave you a chance. Now, I willbe good, master, and do my lesson nicely."So Dr. Alec had his laugh, and then Rose sat down and took alesson in accounts which she never forgot.

  "Now come and read aloud to me; my eyes are tired, and it ispleasant to sit here by the fire while the rain pours outside andAunt Jane lectures upstairs," said Uncle Alec, when last month'saccounts had been put in good order and a fresh page neatly28 begun.

  Rose liked to read aloud, and gladly gave him the chapter in"Nicholas Nickleby" where the Miss Kenwigses take their Frenchlesson. She did her very best, feeling that she was being criticised,and hoping that she might not be found wanting in this as in otherthings.

  "Shall I go on, sir?" she asked very meekly, when the chapterended.

  "If you are not tired, dear. It is a pleasure to hear you, for you readremarkably well," was the answer that filled her heart with prideand pleasure.

  "Do you really think so, uncle? I'm so glad! Papa taught me, and Iread for hours to him, but I thought perhaps, he liked it because hewas fond of me.""So am I; but you really do read unusually well, and I'm very gladof it, for it is a rare accomplishment29, and one I value highly. Comehere in this cosy30, low chair; the light is better, and I can pull thesecurls if you go too fast. I see you are going to be a great comfort aswell as a great credit to your old uncle, Rosy." And Dr. Alec drewher close beside him with such a fatherly look and tone that shefelt it would be very easy to love and obey him, since he knew howto mix praise and blame so pleasantly together.

  Another chapter was just finished, when the sound of a carriagewarned them that Aunt Jane was about to depart. Before theycould go to meet her, however, she appeared in the doorwaylooking like an unusually tall mummy in her waterproof31, with herglasses shining like cat's eyes from the depths of the hood32.

  "Just as I thought! petting that child to death and letting her sit uplate reading trash. I do hope you feel the weight of theresponsibility you have taken upon yourself, Alec," she said, with acertain grim sort of satisfaction at seeing things go wrong.

  "I think I have a very realising sense of it, sister Jane," answeredDr. Alec, with a comical shrug33 of the shoulders and a glance atRose's bright face.

  "It is sad to see a great girl wasting these precious hours so. Now,my boys have studied all day, and Mac is still at his books, I've nodoubt, while you have not had a lesson since you came, I suspect.""I've had five to-day, ma'am," was Rose's very unexpected answer.

  "I'm glad to hear it; and what were they, pray?" Rose looked verydemure as she replied"Navigation, geography, grammar, arithmetic, and keeping mytemper.""Queer lessons, I fancy; and what have you learned from thisremarkable mixture, I should like to know?"A naughty sparkle came into Rose's eyes as she answered, with adroll look at her uncle"I can't tell you all, ma'am, but I have collected some usefulinformation about China, which you may like, especially the teas.

  The best are Lapsing35 Souchong, Assam Pekoe, rare Ankoe,Flowery Pekoe, Howqua's mixture, Scented36 Caper37, Padral tea,black Congou, and green Twankey. Shanghai is on the WoosungRiver. Hong Kong means 'Island of Sweet waters.' Singapore is'Lion's Town.' 'Chops' are the boats they live in; and they drink teaout of little saucers. Principal productions are porcelain38, tea,cinnamon, shawls, tin, tamarinds and opium39. They have beautifultemples and queer gods; and in Canton is the Dwelling40 of the HolyPigs, fourteen of them, very big, and all blind."The effect of this remarkable34 burst was immense, especially thefact last mentioned. It entirely41 took the wind out of Aunt Jane'ssails; it was so sudden, so varied42 and unexpected, that she had nota word to say. The glasses remained fixed43 full upon Rose for amoment, and then, with a hasty "Oh, indeed!" the excellent ladybundled into her carriage and drove away, somewhat bewilderedand very much disturbed.

  She would have been more so if she had seen her reprehensiblebrother-in-law dancing a triumphal polka down the hall with Rosein honour of having silenced the enemy's battery for once.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
2 pulverized 12dce9339f95cd06ee656348f39bd743     
adj.[医]雾化的,粉末状的v.将…弄碎( pulverize的过去式和过去分词 );将…弄成粉末或尘埃;摧毁;粉碎
参考例句:
  • We pulverized the opposition. 我们彻底击败了对手。
  • He pulverized the opposition with the force of his oratory. 他能言善辩把对方驳得体无完肤。 来自辞典例句
3 aprons d381ffae98ab7cbe3e686c9db618abe1     
围裙( apron的名词复数 ); 停机坪,台口(舞台幕前的部份)
参考例句:
  • Many people like to wear aprons while they are cooking. 许多人做饭时喜欢系一条围裙。
  • The chambermaid in our corridor wears blue checked gingham aprons. 给我们扫走廊的清洁女工围蓝格围裙。
4 scrawl asRyE     
vt.潦草地书写;n.潦草的笔记,涂写
参考例句:
  • His signature was an illegible scrawl.他的签名潦草难以辨认。
  • Your beautiful handwriting puts my untidy scrawl to shame.你漂亮的字体把我的潦草字迹比得见不得人。
5 memorandum aCvx4     
n.备忘录,便笺
参考例句:
  • The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
  • The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。
6 specially Hviwq     
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地
参考例句:
  • They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
  • The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。
7 meekly meekly     
adv.温顺地,逆来顺受地
参考例句:
  • He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时,他唯唯诺诺地站 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
9 rosy kDAy9     
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的
参考例句:
  • She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作,生活看上去很美好。
  • She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。
10 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
11 ruffled e4a3deb720feef0786be7d86b0004e86     
adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • She ruffled his hair affectionately. 她情意绵绵地拨弄着他的头发。
  • All this talk of a strike has clearly ruffled the management's feathers. 所有这些关于罢工的闲言碎语显然让管理层很不高兴。
12 jumble I3lyi     
vt.使混乱,混杂;n.混乱;杂乱的一堆
参考例句:
  • Even the furniture remained the same jumble that it had always been.甚至家具还是象过去一样杂乱无章。
  • The things in the drawer were all in a jumble.抽屉里的东西很杂乱。
13 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
14 benighted rQcyD     
adj.蒙昧的
参考例句:
  • Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened,heed only one side and you will be benighted.兼听则明,偏信则暗。
  • Famine hit that benighted country once more.饥荒再次席卷了那个蒙昧的国家。
15 wholesome Uowyz     
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的
参考例句:
  • In actual fact the things I like doing are mostly wholesome.实际上我喜欢做的事大都是有助于增进身体健康的。
  • It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。
16 gallop MQdzn     
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔;飞速发展
参考例句:
  • They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。
  • The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。
17 reined 90bca18bd35d2cee2318d494d6abfa96     
勒缰绳使(马)停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 ); 驾驭; 严格控制; 加强管理
参考例句:
  • Then, all of a sudden, he reined up his tired horse. 这时,他突然把疲倦的马勒住了。
  • The officer reined in his horse at a crossroads. 军官在十字路口勒住了马。
18 rummaging e9756cfbffcc07d7dc85f4b9eea73897     
翻找,搜寻( rummage的现在分词 ); 海关检查
参考例句:
  • She was rummaging around in her bag for her keys. 她在自己的包里翻来翻去找钥匙。
  • Who's been rummaging through my papers? 谁乱翻我的文件来着?
19 fussy Ff5z3     
adj.为琐事担忧的,过分装饰的,爱挑剔的
参考例句:
  • He is fussy about the way his food's cooked.他过分计较食物的烹调。
  • The little girl dislikes her fussy parents.小女孩讨厌她那过分操心的父母。
20 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚,但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
21 guardians 648b3519bd4469e1a48dff4dc4827315     
监护人( guardian的名词复数 ); 保护者,维护者
参考例句:
  • Farmers should be guardians of the countryside. 农民应是乡村的保卫者。
  • The police are guardians of law and order. 警察是法律和秩序的护卫者。
22 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
23 trepidation igDy3     
n.惊恐,惶恐
参考例句:
  • The men set off in fear and trepidation.这群人惊慌失措地出发了。
  • The threat of an epidemic caused great alarm and trepidation.流行病猖獗因而人心惶惶。
24 chaos 7bZyz     
n.混乱,无秩序
参考例句:
  • After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后,城市一片混乱。
  • The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。
25 privately IkpzwT     
adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地
参考例句:
  • Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
  • The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。
26 tug 5KBzo     
v.用力拖(或拉);苦干;n.拖;苦干;拖船
参考例句:
  • We need to tug the car round to the front.我们需要把那辆车拉到前面。
  • The tug is towing three barges.那只拖船正拖着三只驳船。
27 saucy wDMyK     
adj.无礼的;俊俏的;活泼的
参考例句:
  • He was saucy and mischievous when he was working.他工作时总爱调皮捣蛋。
  • It was saucy of you to contradict your father.你顶撞父亲,真是无礼。
28 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地
参考例句:
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
29 accomplishment 2Jkyo     
n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能
参考例句:
  • The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
  • Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标,钱是至关重要的。
30 cosy dvnzc5     
adj.温暖而舒适的,安逸的
参考例句:
  • We spent a cosy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。
  • It was so warm and cosy in bed that Simon didn't want to get out.床上温暖而又舒适,西蒙简直不想下床了。
31 waterproof Ogvwp     
n.防水材料;adj.防水的;v.使...能防水
参考例句:
  • My mother bought me a waterproof watch.我妈妈给我买了一块防水手表。
  • All the electronics are housed in a waterproof box.所有电子设备都储放在一个防水盒中。
32 hood ddwzJ     
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖
参考例句:
  • She is wearing a red cloak with a hood.她穿着一件红色带兜帽的披风。
  • The car hood was dented in.汽车的发动机罩已凹了进去。
33 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
34 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
35 lapsing 65e81da1f4c567746d2fd7c1679977c2     
v.退步( lapse的现在分词 );陷入;倒退;丧失
参考例句:
  • He tried to say, but his voice kept lapsing. 他是想说这句话,可已经抖得语不成声了。 来自辞典例句
  • I saw the pavement lapsing beneath my feet. 我看到道路在我脚下滑过。 来自辞典例句
36 scented a9a354f474773c4ff42b74dd1903063d     
adj.有香味的;洒香水的;有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I let my lungs fill with the scented air. 我呼吸着芬芳的空气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The police dog scented about till he found the trail. 警犬嗅来嗅去,终于找到了踪迹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
37 caper frTzz     
v.雀跃,欢蹦;n.雀跃,跳跃;续随子,刺山柑花蕾;嬉戏
参考例句:
  • The children cut a caper in the yard.孩子们在院子里兴高采烈地乱蹦乱跳。
  • The girl's caper cost her a twisted ankle.小姑娘又蹦又跳,结果扭伤了脚踝。
38 porcelain USvz9     
n.瓷;adj.瓷的,瓷制的
参考例句:
  • These porcelain plates have rather original designs on them.这些瓷盘的花纹很别致。
  • The porcelain vase is enveloped in cotton.瓷花瓶用棉花裹着。
39 opium c40zw     
n.鸦片;adj.鸦片的
参考例句:
  • That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
  • Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。
40 dwelling auzzQk     
n.住宅,住所,寓所
参考例句:
  • Those two men are dwelling with us.那两个人跟我们住在一起。
  • He occupies a three-story dwelling place on the Park Street.他在派克街上有一幢3层楼的寓所。
41 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
42 varied giIw9     
adj.多样的,多变化的
参考例句:
  • The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
  • The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。
43 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。


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